Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Geiko-Hen – Episode 06 Review

「鬼殺隊最強」 (“Kisatsu Tai Saikyou”)
“The Strongest of the Demon Slayer Corps”

The latest Kimetsu no Yaiba’s episode actually gives us a nice glimpse into the mentality that Himejima Gyoumei cultivates whenever he channels his abilities. In the process, however, Tanjiro must use any advice he can get to be anywhere close to completing his training.

TWICE THE PRIDE, DOUBLE THE FALL

I was so cocky about having a tolerance threshold for Zenitsu earlier into the season, but he was pretty unbearable this time around. He’s usually fine as a small little spice to keep the tone light, but a whole half an episode of this guy screaming starts to sound like blasting Crystal Castles when you’re sleep-deprived. I’m an oddball because in contrast, I’m just happy to see Inosuke again so his loud boasting and shouting was a welcome change of pace from Zenitsu’s original recipe.

And to be fair, the difficult time they have with Himejima’s training gives you a better gist of why Himejima is one of a kind as a Hashira. It’s the first time you see Tanjiro genuinely struggle with a Hashira training because, instead of being able to rely on combat prowess, he has to put his body to the test. By focusing on the endurance aspects of a demon slayer’s responsibilities, it taps into a blindspot in Tanjiro’s skillset as he needs to ensure he can handle brutal conditions or tests of strength.

While he’s channeled his memories and inherent strength to blast through enemies or sparring partners, he hasn’t been placid in any harsh conditions that would require withstanding intense pressure for long bouts of time. It’s the first time in this season where it felt rewarding to see him pass a Hashira’s training regimen since it feels more like he’s unlocked a new skill and pushed past a barrier he’s never encountered until now.